Sinead O'Connor

An immensely talented and principled singer who became one of the world's most controversial women, Sinad O'Connor debuted with the 1987 album The Lion and the Cobra. Instantly recognizable for her powerful ... Read more »

An immensely talented and principled singer who became one of the world's most controversial women, Sinéad O'Connor debuted with the 1987 album The Lion and the Cobra. Instantly recognizable for her powerful vocals, shaved head and otherworldly beauty, she achieved superstardom with 1990's LP I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got and its crown jewel, the aching "Nothing Compares 2 U," written by Prince. The album and song topped the charts, the music video earned three MTV Video Music Awards, and she earned four Grammy nominations and one win - all of which she refused to accept. Fiercely political and fearlessly iconoclastic, O'Connor angered many when she refused to play in any venue where the U.S. national anthem was played and became one of the most divisive pop culture figures of all time when, to protest the sexual abuse of children by the Catholic Church, she tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II in an era-defining appearance on "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ). The outrage proved so great that it ended O'Connor's mainstream recording career, and she retreated to Ireland to make music on a smaller scale. After revealing that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had once attempted suicide, many grew concerned for her when, in 2011, she began blogging and Tweeting explicit sexual and suicidal messages. Although the controversies engendered by her outspoken political and social consciousness often overshadowed her music, Sinéad O'Connor remained a fascinating, complex woman with artistic talent and the courage to follow her convictions regardless of the consequences.

Barry Herridge

Husband

Married on Dec. 8, 2011 at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas, NV; same chapel where Britney Spears wed Jason Alexander in 2004 O'Connor announced separation on Dec. 26, 2011, just 18 days after they wed